Puff Pastry Austrian Apple Strudel is a quick copycat recipe that can easily be made at home with under 10 ingredients!
Looking for an easy apple strudel recipe?
Then, you’ll love this puff pastry apple strudel recipe. This recipe uses store-bought puff pastry dough, which is a lifesaver. It’s basically pre-made flaky perfection, just waiting to be transformed into a golden brown masterpiece. Seriously, it’s the perfect fall dessert for any occasion, from a cozy night in to a special holiday gathering.
There’s nothing quite like homemade apple strudel. The sweet apple mixture combined with warm spices, crunchy walnuts, and cream cheese layered between strips of flaky puff pastry crust. It’s the perfect combination between apple dumplings and an apple and browned butter custard tart. Flaky, filled with warm apples, and baked to perfection. And by using pre-made apple filling, you don’t need to wait until apple season to enjoy this delicious dessert!
What Is Apple Strudel?
Apple strudel isn’t just a delicious dessert. It’s practically a Viennese icon! This beloved pastry holds a special place in cafes throughout the city, and some even consider it Austria’s national dish.
Fun fact: Apple strudel even made a pop culture appearance in the movie “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” back in 1968!
While many might think it’s German, the truth is a little more complex. The oldest known recipe for strudel actually comes from Vienna in 1697, and it likely owes a debt to other cultures. The paper-thin layers of dough used in strudel are reminiscent of Turkish baklava, hinting at a delicious international collaboration.
Making a traditional Viennese apple strudel recipe is an art form. Thin sheets of dough are layered with a sweet filling, creating a beautiful swirl when sliced. The name “strudel” even comes from a Middle High German word meaning “whirlpool”!
Apple strudel, or “Apfelstrudel” as they call it in Vienna, is the most famous variety, but there are savory options too. It’s a versatile dessert that can be enjoyed with tea, coffee, or even a fancy glass of champagne. And don’t forget the toppings! Vanilla ice cream and whipped cream are classic accompaniments, but feel free to get creative.
What you’ll love about this recipe:
What You Need to Make This Simple Apple Strudel Recipe
How to Make This Puff Pastry Strudel
- Heat oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out the puff pastry sheet to a long rectangle (about 12-14 inches wide).
- Spread cream cheese in a line down the center of the pastry.
- Mix apple filling (except ¼ cup) with vanilla and allspice. Spoon this mixture over the cream cheese. Sprinkle half the walnuts on top.
- Cut diagonal strips of dough from the edges of the pastry towards the filling. Fold the top and bottom of the pastry over the filling, then fold the sides over in a zig-zag pattern. Pinch to seal.
- Brush with egg white and bake in the preheated oven for 25-27 minutes until golden brown. Let cool slightly.
- Heat the remaining apple filling, mash, and spoon down the center of the strudel. Top with remaining walnuts.
- Whisk milk and powdered sugar for a glaze and drizzle over the strudel.
- Slice and serve!
Expert Recipe Tips
- For the flakiest crust, ensure your puff pastry is thawed completely in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before rolling.
- Apple strudel can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature. For a warm treat, serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. For a lighter option, serve it chilled with a drizzle of caramel sauce or a dusting of powdered sugar.
How to Store Leftovers & Reheat
Store leftover apple strudel with puff pastry in an airtight container for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the strudel in the microwave and reheat for 10-15 seconds.
You can also freeze leftover apple strudel! Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then place it in a freezer-safe container or bag. Frozen apple strudel will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating using the oven method mentioned above.
This apple strudel with puff pastry recipe is the easiest way to enjoy the taste of fall any time of year. The flaky puff pastry crust pairs perfectly with the sweet and tart apple filling, and the creamy layer of whipped cream cheese adds a touch of richness. If you try this recipe, please rate the recipe card and leave a comment down below to help out the next reader!
Puff Pastry Austrian Apple Strudel
AustrianIngredients
- 1 puff pastry
- 1 can apple pie filling
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp allspice
- 1/3 cup chopped walnuts - toasted and chopped
- 8 tbsp whipped cream cheese
- 1 egg white - beaten
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 to 3 tbsp milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- On a clean work surface, roll out the puff pastry with a rolling pin to create a long thin rectangle, about 12 to 14 inches on the long end. Transfer the pastry to the prepared baking sheet.
- Spread the whipped cream cheese in a long rectangle 3” wide in the center of the pastry.
- Mix all but ¼ cup of the apple pie filling in a bowl with the vanilla and allspice. Spoon over the cream cheese layer. Sprinkle ½ of the toasted walnuts over the pie filling.
- In 1” segments, slice the puff pastry at an angle from the filling to the edges on the long sides.
- Fold the top and bottom up over the edges of the filling and tuck the slices back and forth over one another, pinching gently.
- Brush the pastry with the beaten egg white and bake for 25 to 27 minutes, until golden and fluffy. Some of the filling may have oozed out of the pockets, and that is ok. Allow to cool.
- Meanwhile, heat the remaining ¼ apple pie filling in a small saucepan and mash.
- Spoon the mashed apples out along the center of the pastry and top with the remaining chopped walnuts.
- Finally, whisk the milk and powdered sugar together in a bowl to create a glaze.
- Spoon the glaze, allowing it to drizzle over the strudel.
- Slice and serve.
Nutrition
Nutritional informations provided as a courtesy and is only an approximatation. Values will changes based on ingredients used.
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Recipe FAQs
Oh man your description of eating it there makes me melt. I need to make this for sure! As for homemade puff pastry, I’ve only done it once and it was a decent result but the store bought stuff is still better than my skill level haha.